Intel Test System and Temperature Results

Testing Procedure

On the Intel test platform, we opted for the Core i9-10900K. To find our starting point on the Intel system, we used the Noctua NH-U12S with the fan set to maximum performance. With the stock BIOS, we disabled all multi-core enhancement features and stuck with Intel's specifications. We then used Blender 3D to determine our processor's default all-core clock speed of 4.3 GHz. To ensure testing remains fair on all coolers, we manually applied the CPU's Vcore, which was 1.01 volts, and limited the CPU to the predetermined clock speed. While not an ideal situation, it is the only way to get an apples-to-apples comparison between coolers that is consistent. For overclock testing, the motherboard has MCE enabled, and all limits are removed. We then set the CPU to 4.8 GHz, at 1.21 volts. This results in the CPU going from the 125-watt limit defined by Intel all the way up to 200 watts under a sustained heavy load. Again, refer to this articlefor a full breakdown of our testing procedures.

The idle test consists of the CPU sitting idle at the desktop for 15 minutes.

The primary load test consists of the Blender BMW render looped for 15 minutes, and the peak temperature is used as the result.

The final test we use is AIDA64's FPU stability test, which offers maximum heat generation. While it is typically considered an unrealistic workload, it is used to show the extra overhead a CPU cooler has available in a worst-case scenario.

All these tests are completed three times for both maximum performance and noise-normalized results.

Idle Temperatures

Typical Load Temperatures

Maximum Load Temperatures